First Decree: Making a Splash [Video/Action]

[demenscantrix]

Video



[When the Warp Band pops on today, it’s heavily obscured by a thick layer of fog, the camera coated with moisture of some sort. The only sound is humming, and the gentle dripping sounds of water, along with a splash of little feet. Something looms out of the mist, a disc-shaped ridge in the water growing ever larger until at last a Lotad’s beady eyes stare down into the camera. It burbles something as it makes landfall, hauling itself out of a steamy pool. The sound draws motion in the distance and the placid scene is broken by a loud, human sounding sigh and a woman’s voice.]

Agrippa, what have I told you about joining me out here? You’re not allowed to stray too far. It’s not becoming of you to forget a direct request like that, and who knows what dangers lurk nearby.

[Hands reach out through the parting mist, picking up the creature and scooping it back into the water, and a human face enters view. Light hair and eyes peer at the device, a thoroughly amused smirk twisting the woman’s lips.]

Ah. So it does work. I had thought to properly introduce myself after cleaning, but this is as good a time as any, I suppose. My name is Nero Claudius, though some have called me The Red Saber.

[She's definitely in the hot springs. And definitely not clothed, though she's low enough in the water that the mist obscures anything particularly inappropriate. Except her smirk, that's positively criminal. ]

I am new to your fair city, people of Union, and I am most appreciative of the hospitality you've offered even despite your recent hardships. These devices are marvelous, like nothing I've ever seen before. [Because she can only remember a little bit anyway.] I must also commend the quality of your hot springs. They are of a most excellent pedigree. [She props herself up on her arms at the edge of the pool, lazily twirling a finger in the air...completely unselfconscious. It's almost like she doesn't care even a little bit that she's undressed.]

So, I have decided to stay and make a home here. There's little point in meandering around in the wilderness when such a fine place exists, and I have the strength and willingness to lend my aid should more difficulties arise from the east as well as to the rebuilding efforts. I assure you that you'll find my talents as a warrior and an artist more than adequate. Let us work well together, to bring proper beauty back to this world.

[Quite the speech, really. But anyone that remembers that name will definitely remember some pretty awful concerts.]



Action, Union:


[In the early evening, Nero and Agrippa wander back into town, dressed in a weirdly flowing red outfit that belies her short stature. She's barely five feet tall, though her unruly ahoge adds a good six inches if that counts. Confidence oozes from every step, and the sword at her waist probably has seen some action in recent months, but the most eye catching thing about her is probably the sparkles. She practically glows, her outfit and skin seeming to refract the waning light, and her manner more that of a gallant young man than any maiden.

She moves into the city without any real sense of purpose, seeking shelter where she might find it, but the act of navigating seems to confuse her a little bit. The network of unfamiliar streets, coupled with the construction and wreckage make it difficult on a stranger...but she's a little too proud to directly ask for help. Instead of that, she might simply mumble loudly near anyone who seems to have a clue about what's going on:]

Umu...there's all this work being done that way. How troublesome.

[While Agrippa the Lotad just looks up at you, eyes pleading. Help...please...]

Comments

Action

[untalented]

[Waver almost didn't catch her words. With his dorky winter hat pulled tightly over his head and his Ranger's jacket zipped up it's full length, he was darting around the city checking on his scattered friends and making sure that the people he cared about were doing okay.

Rather, it was her face that caught his attention.

It was so much like Saber's, from the fall of her fringe to the definition of her cheek bones, that the resemblence was almost uncanny. He stopped to say something to his housemate when the rest of her person registered in his awareness.

The brilliant red of her clothes stood out amidst the wreckage, and the cut itself somehow managed to be both functional and flattering at the same time. The sparkle about her marked her as a Fairy-type, but the lilt of her voice....

.....Suddenly, he found himself recalling some awful concerts that he had scrapped together enough change to attend, enraptured by his own morbid curiosity by how such a phenomenal disaaster of an artist had managed to draw in such a crowd. It was for the effect, he had concluded-- everyone wanted to hear the caterwauling for their own amusement, but no one wanted to tell the performer to her face that she was terrible enough to rouse a Snorlax from the deepest of slumbers.

That face, and that voice...]

Eeeh?

[Suddenly, he realized why he hadn't been bothered by Saber's appearance as a Shifter at all. Although the memories themselves were hazy because of how close the timing had been to his parents' passing, there had been a lasting enough impression to unconsciously effect him even now.]

Eeeeehhhhhh?!

[demenscantrix]

[Alright.  This was not expected.  This reaction was hardly even close to what Nero wanted, or anticipated.  Surely it couldn’t be because of her.  No…that wasn’t possible.  So, she turns around to see if there’s some monster leering over her shoulder.  Finding none, she frowns and turns back, tapping a finger against her forehead in an irritable gesture.  Yes, there was definitely a migraine coming on.  And that annoyed her, but not enough to slap the boy.

One hand on her hip, posture cocked and face set in an irritable scowl, she answered him with an even comment.]

Is that how you greet a visitor in your city, or are you just loud and rude?

[untalented]

S-sorry!

[he stammered, shaking his head fervently underneath the irritated gleam.]

You're.... I just--

[Words. What were they. Everything about Waver, from his manner and accent, screamed that he was a transplanted resident from Sanctuary. Surely that alone would answer a few questions...]

[demenscantrix]

[Except she only had the dimmest recollections of the place, and that was by choice. She could tell that he lacked the accent of Union, certainly...placing him as a foreigner. His stance, too...]

What? Take a breath, and out with it. I am not going to harm you.

[untalented]

[Even her speech pattern was similar to Saber's. This, truly, was uncanny.]

...I'm not native to this city, you understand. You remind me of someone from home.

[Not that he could recall much about said individual. Just that the singing was so atrocious that it was fascinating.]

[demenscantrix]

[The woman sighs and looks down at him...]

And where exactly is that? I do not know you at all.

[untalented]

[....She didn't remember, for some reason.

w e l p.]

Sanctuary. You remind me of someone who liked to perform there a few years ago.

[demenscantrix]

[She didn't remember him. But she blinks in recognition...expression darkening]

Ah, yes. I did live in Sanctuary some time ago. Were you a citizen?

[untalented]

Yeah...I was.

--Just. No one who was special enough to live in the towers.

[demenscantrix]

I remember few people there, truly.

[Her lip curls, angry...a flicker of something unpleasant behind her eyes.]

What do you remember of me, if I am who you think I am?

[untalented]

[...Oh. Oh, dear.]

I remember that the person who resembled you was always drew a crowd when she sang in the theaters, but not much else. I was still a kid at the time.

Although...your family doesn't happen to have a history of Honedge Shifters, does it?

[demenscantrix]

[...Well she vaguely remembers that much. IT hurts to think too much on it, but then.]

I did sing, yes, when I was in charge of the garrison there. [So, that's a thing, but...]

Honedge Shifters, though? I do not follow.

[untalented]

[So she was the person he suspected, perhaps. He didn't want to rush into this without any thought...]

I have a friend in this city who is one, and her human form looks strikingly similar to you. We're housemates, so I thought you were her for a moment until I heard you speak.

[demenscantrix]

Wait.

[A hand touches her breast in genuine confusion.]

You know someone who looks like me? A Shifter? Are they from Sanctuary as well?

[Are...they like me? is the unspoken question, though he wouldn't have a clue what she meant unless he knew of her fate.]

[untalented]

No-- she was originally just a Honedge, and only discovered her power to Shift within the last year.

[But that was curious. Their resemblence was...uncanny. How could they not be related? ]

[demenscantrix]

A Pokemon. Umu...

[She hums and scratches her head in thought.]

No. There aren't any such beings in my family line. It must merely be a coincidence. But a fortuitous one.

[A pause.]

You know who I am then. Who are you?

[untalented]

Waver Velvet-- a self taught Magus from Sanctuary.

[The detail was only added because he figured that no one of importance would have heard of Waver. He was only a nuisance to a few people in the Academic circles, after all.

Tugging at his jacket, he continued speaking.]

...And, I'm working for the Rangers now. It's just a desk job, but I can take you where you want to go in town if you need a guide.

[demenscantrix]

[Not a name she knows. But then, she hadn't paid that much attention to mage politics...but it does make her bristle. Nero's voice takes on an edge.]

Where you involved with the experiments?

[untalented]

No-- they wouldn't let me into the academy because of my poor lineage. I was just as surprised as everyone else by that project.

[The line of questioning wasn't a surprise. He had dealt with similar inquiries before.]

[demenscantrix]

[Her eyes open and the edge vanishes. That would be acceptable. If he was self-taught, and not freaking out that she was...well...roaming around...then it was enough evidence.]

Good. I don't remember who was involved, but I believe you. This place seems above that. I'd hate to find out anyone from the project was here.

[untalented]

[Waver felt the tension in his shoulders ease with the softening of her demeanor-- glad for the fact that he hadn't accidentally stepped somewhere that he shouldn't have.]

The people here were very upset when they found out about the experiments. It was so bad that I was keeping the truth about my abilities quiet for months because I didn't want to be questioned about things I didn't know anything about. They've calmed down...but the sentiment hasn't changed.

[He sighed.]

Truthfully, I only know you from the performances. I didn't really pay much attention to what was happening politically because....well, I didn't understand it, and I had other problems at the time.

...What do you want to be called? My room mate goes by 'Saber', so that's not an option.

[demenscantrix]

[Well let's be real, she'd have gutted him if she believed for a half second that he was responsible for what happened to her. Nero was simply that kind of person.]

Call me Nero. I've never gone by Saber. Red Saber was just a title, and as I'm not a part of any military any longer there's little reason to use it save as a formality.

[She frowns deeper though, considering.]

They managed to keep it quiet, then. Just like Galba to turn me over to the Resistance and not own up to it.

[The exceedingly harsh commander that'd immediately proceeded her. And as Gigans couldn't be Enlightened, that should answer another question, though she hadn't intended to give it away.]

[untalented]

Wha-what?!

[The revelation was startling-- he hadn't realized the internal politics of their Gigan watchhounds were so brutal and cut-throat. Compared to internal politics of the Magi, he was sure that the military heirarchy was still relatively tame and easy to understand...but he had heard about what the Resistance had gotten up to with the projects.

Suddenly her intense interest made sense-- and, thoughtlessly, he looked at her and everything that she was.

...

Even as an Analyst, he could scarcely believe his eyes sometimes.]

W-well, I-- [He averted his gaze, cheeks reddening as if he had seen something he hadn't intended to.] I'm sorry that happened. People missed those performances for a while, too. But, life goes on...

[demenscantrix]

[Under the lens, she's definitely a Homunculus. Fairy, Steel, and Normal. And strong, her aura thrumming with power like any God of War. His look gets some scrutiny but the frown turns into something slightly more upbeat and pleased at that statement.]

You had no hand in it, but...you say...people missed my performances? [Hopefully, she smiles.] Really? I did...try and to right by the citizens of Sanctuary, and I had hoped they'd remember me fondly...

[untalented]

[...What he saw was dreadfully concerning, but he would stay quiet for the moment.]

Of course they'd be fond of your performances, [he huffed, still feeling shamed for seeing something of such a personal nature when he had been trying so hard not to violate a stranger's privacy while in Union.] Those were the only times when Magi and Earthkin could be in the same place at once and not have any pretenses or polite silences. Do you know how rare occasions like that are?